The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1887-04-23
SuiI- Dhuv,
THE COZNER.
BY GERALD GRIFFIN
Author of .. The Collegians." etc.
CHAPTER XIv.-(Continued.)


Catholics to say what sort purgatory is,
whether tits hot or COLOR what is the
nature O. the punishment that's there
but it's great, surely. I hear OF man
that was lying once upon sick bed,
praying, and an angel come and axed
him would he rather have seven years
sickness O. that nature, or three minutes
in purgatory. The three minutes then,
TO be sure says he. Well and good! he
wasn't one mint o. that in purgatory
when he cried out, % murther.' says
he. Il was only to be left three minits,
an here I am three hundred years al
ready."-See what it isl
"See what it is, why!" replied the
other, who had sided closer up to the
speaker, and before James had power
to enforce the moral of his anecdote, he
found himself on the fiat of his back-a
great bundle of hay stuffed into his
mouth, so as nearly to smother him,
while the foolish-looking fellow whipt
out of his pocket the key of the hall
door. He could neither stir nor groan.
''Drag him o. one side of the light,
said the latter-''the boys are LAYING
the field. Letus get into the dark until
they pass. Cry out, Sir, if you like.
Pigs may whistle, but they have very
ugly mouths for it,"
They moved on, and James had the
cruel modification to see the herdsman
and his companions santer slowly
along within fifty yards of them,
towards their own homes-mak-
ing some observ ations on the
change which was just beginning to
take place in the night. They loitered
an instant about the fire, where James
and his unwelcome visitors had been
standing-held out their hands as a
Kissing sound in the circle of flame led
them to suppose that the rain had al
ready commenced-and then walked off
and disappeared in the darkness, to
seek remedy in the luxury of slumber,
for the WEAKNESS of the evenings pas
time. James felt his heart die away
within him, as their voices grew faint
in the distance, for, always disposed to
overrate any peril in which he happened
to be placed, he thought he had no
further chance of deliverance from the
blood-hounds into whose hands he
fallen.
"Here is the key, Awney," said the
taller of the men; ''now where are you
to meet Suil Dhuv?''
s'Here, dis way-near to the path,
down the field-so that the horses won't
miss us. Drag this gomeril after u.s."
While they were hauling the poor un-
resisting James along the ground, in
that fashion which league, in the Com
mlttee, calls an Irish sedan, the thun-
der-storm commenced in good earnest
and the sound of horses hoofs ringing
against the hard field, was heard plainly,
at distance which rapidly diminished.
"Here dey come!" said Awney; che
told me to be before him an try trick
o. dis kind. Little he thought we'd
have it doom so aisy.'
Attic same instant the four horsemen
whom they expected, came on at full
speed, and bolted upon the footman at
so perilous a proximity before they
refined up, that the foremost animal
sunk his hoof deep into the soil within
an inch of the head of the PROSTATE
domestic, who was unable, even by a
green, to make them aware of his dan
ger.
"Who's there? Nancy? Farrell?
Well? what have you done?"
"Whist? Come down o. your horse,
and see!"
Suil Dhuv dismounted.
Gay, we'll done! Awney," said he,
when the latter had put him in possess
sion of the whole of their proceeding
'Now, let me see! My lads, which of
you knows Drumscanlon House?"
II remember every twist and turn of
it," SAID Awney, ''since I gev de letter
dat night to this nat'rel on de ground"
James groaned in heart at the recollec-
ton.
''Very well, Awney-since have got
the key, I will require little assistance.
So do you, lads, ride hard and fast over
the commons, to the Ccrig- on dhiol, for
fear we miss the other prize. They
must have foundered by this time.''
Nun Maher and his two companions
rode of, seemingly well contented.
'.Maney," continued the Coiner,
sttake the reius of my horse, and stand
close to your prisoner. And now Aw-
ney, the key, and follow me! If any
thing should happen, Nancy, you know
our signal"
They went off together towards the
house, leaving James in state of mind
which may possibly be guessed at, when
we say that the very gentlest idea he
had of their intentions was, that they
were about to set fire to the dwelling,
murder and rob every individual they
found under it's roof.
A nnartar of an hour ELAPSED. during